Samoa one of two Least Developed Countries to be on-track to meet Millennium Development Goals by 2015

A recently published article "MDGs: UN Summit risks becoming another footnote" (http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201109141175490) has described 48 of the world’s poorest countries being totally off-track as the 2015 deadline approaches to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Of note, according to the MDG monitor, Samoa seems to be one of the two exceptions having already achieved or being on track to successfully meet these goals. (http://www.mdgmonitor.org/country_progress.cfm?c=WSM&cd=882)

South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) Foundation Samoa has been working in Samoa for 11 years serving over 14,000 aspiring women micro-entrepreneurs in 415 village centers with over 31,000 loans and WST 37million (approximately $15 million) loaned. SPBD Samoa has been financially sustainable since 2007. Its overall objective is to contribute to the Samoa sustainable development strategy and commitment to achieving the MDGs and contribute to poverty reduction

As of December 2010, SPBD has 5,279 active clients using a variety of microcredit products for the purpose of helping them start and grow small income generating businesses. Once these businesses are made a success, SPBD also provides financing for basic housing improvements and for childhood education. In addition, members have access to simple savings services, loan and life insurance products and business training modules